Skin Cancer – Melanoma
Dear reader,
We’ve all heard the phrase “sharing is caring” and “knowledge is power”. With this in mind, I share the following story.
Last year I read an article written by a woman giving thanks to another woman she only met once, in a nail salon. I don’t remember her name, but let’s call her Anna. And for ease of reading, we’ll call the other lady, Marie.
Anna never saw Marie again. But she desperately wanted to thank her. The reason? A black line under her fingernail.
Anna and Marie had sat next to each other while getting manicures. And while doing so, Marie noticed a thin black line under Anna’s fingernail. Marie leaned over and said, excuse me, I’m a medical professional and you should have that fingernail looked at by a doctor.
Anna visited with her doctor, who referred her to a dermatologist, where she learned that she had melanoma – a form of skin cancer that typically occurs on and in the skin.
I don’t remember what happened after that. Only that Ana desperately wanted to thank Marie. And she hoped the public “thank you” would eventually reach Marie’s ears. Anna felt that Marie had saved her life.
Recently, in a meeting with a young professional, I noticed a thin black line underneath his fingernail as we were signing documents. I instantly recalled the story of Anna and Marie.
I leaned over and said, “you should get that looked at by a doctor”. He asked why so I shared the story about Anna and Marie. “Perhaps it’s nothing” I told him. “Maybe you banged your finger and you just have a bruise”.
I could tell he was nervous. And rightfully so. But he assured me that he was grateful for my observation and that he would immediately call his doctor. We said goodbye and as I closed the door, I immediately prayed for him.
Which brings me back to those familiar phrases: Sharing is caring. Knowledge is power.
Please SHARE this story. Because knowledge IS power – the power to take care of yourself and the ones you love…with a simple observation.
HOW TO CHECK YOUR NAILS FOR MELANOMA
When checking the body for signs of skin cancer, many people may only think to check their skin. However, it’s important to check the nails, too. Although rare, skin cancer, including melanoma — the deadliest form of skin cancer — can develop under and around the fingernails and toenails. While anyone can develop melanoma on their nails, it’s more common in older individuals and people with skin of color. A personal or family history of melanoma or previous nail trauma may also be risk factors.
The good news is that when found early, melanoma — even on the nails — is highly treatable. The best way to find skin cancer on your nails early, when it’s most treatable, is to know what to look for and regularly check your nails.
When checking your nails for melanoma, dermatologists recommend looking for the following changes:
- A dark streak. This may look like a brown or black band in the nail — often on the thumb or big toe of your dominant hand or foot. However, this dark streak can show up on any nail.
- Dark skin next to your nail. When the skin around your nail becomes darker, it could be a sign of advanced melanoma.
- Nail lifting from your fingers or toes. When this happens, your nail starts to separate from the nail bed. The white free edge at the top of your nail will start to look longer as the nail lifts.
- Nail splitting, which occurs when a nail splits down the middle.
- A bump or nodule under your nails. You might also see a band of color on your nail. It could be wide and irregular or dark and narrow.
To learn more, visit The American Academy of Dermatology Association